Two way omnidirectional lens

ABSTRACT

An omnidirectional lens is disclosed of the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodiments are specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beams from all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to a photosensor. The same two-way lens acts in a “beacon mode” to produce light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams (again) in all directions of the compass. The emitted light beams can also be used to signal various functions as visible signals to users on a jobsite.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology disclosed herein relates generally to surveying andconstruction equipment and is particularly directed to anomnidirectional lens of the type which captures light from virtually allangles of incidence, and also emits light in all directions. Embodimentsare specifically disclosed as a two-way lens that receives light beamsfrom all directions of the compass and directs those light beams to aphotosensor; and the same two-way lens can act in a “beacon mode” toemit light beams from one or more LEDs, and to emit such light beams(again) in all directions of the compass.

The omnidirectional lens of the technology disclosed herein is formed,in a preferred embodiment, by starting with a two-piece constructionthat is permanently made into a single piece assembly. There is a main“reflector” portion and a “top cap” portion; the top cap portion isgenerally circular and receives light beams from all angles, andre-directs those light beams at an angle of about (roughly) 90 degrees.Therefore, if a light beam travelling horizontally (i.e., parallel tothe Earth's surface) is intercepted by the top cap portion, that lightbeam will be re-directed downward, in a somewhat vertical direction.

The reflector portion (below the top cap portion) then receives suchre-directed light beams, and with its surfaces that take advantage oftotal internal reflection (“TIR”), will further re-direct the lightbeams and will concentrate such light beams toward an extended lightguide portion that also takes advantage of the same TIR principle by“aiming” (or guiding) such light beams toward a photosensor that ispositioned beneath the extended light guide portion of the reflectorportion. In this manner, the photosensor receives light rays (or “lightbeams”) that impact the omnidirectional lens from multiple angles ofincidence, virtually around the entire compass—i.e., 360 degrees ofreception, without the use of any moving parts.

With regard to emitting light beams in the beacon mode, theomnidirectional lens of the technology disclosed herein includes atleast one photon-emitting electronic device, such as an LED (lightemitting diode), that emits light beams at a plurality of many, manyangles. (The LED is not a laser diode.) Many of those emitted lightbeams are received by shaped surfaces of the reflector portion, and thenre-directed both upward and outward, along the outer surfaces of theomnidirectional lens device. The top cap portion has acylindrically-shaped surface that has a textured outer surface, and thistexturing causes the outward-going light beams (as photons) to bere-directed one final time into many, many angles, without the use ofany moving parts. The large plurality of such emission angles allowshuman users near the omnidirectional lens device to see at least one ofthe light beams no matter where those human users are positioned on thejobsite surface, as compared to the position of the omnidirectional lensdevice.

When the omnidirectional lens of the technology disclosed herein is usedwith a Trimble base unit, many types of functions can be performed andindicated, for use on a construction jobsite. This includes a functionof establishing an alignment axis between two such base units, and othervarious visible (optical) indicating functions that will be seen byhuman users on the jobsite.

BACKGROUND

On construction jobsites, there is a need for locating points ofinterest on two-dimensional horizontal surfaces. A simple, accurate andcost effective system for the layout of floor plans at the jobsite haslong been in need. Conventional GPS is not usable inside standard steelconstruction buildings, and previous laser based systems have beenoverly complex and expensive.

Two earlier patent documents have advanced the art in this area in asignificant way, disclosing a laser system that provides the elementsfor visually locating points of interest on a two-dimensional horizontalsurface. A pair of “base units” are placed on the jobsite surface, andthese base units have certain capabilities that are described in thoseearlier patent documents. One of these documents is U.S. Pat. No.8,087,176; a second such document is published application number US2012/0203502; both patent documents are commonly-assigned to TrimbleNavigation Limited.

The published application teaches using a fan beam, consisting ofmodulated laser light that is emitted by a first base unit. The baseunits have a “null-position” photosensor that can delineate horizontalpositioning, and can help aim the fan beam until it is directly strikingthe center portion of a second base unit. The goal is to adjust the aimof the fan beam of the first base unit until it strikes directly at thecenterline of the horizontal-sensitive (null-position) photosensor onthe second base unit. This procedure is used in establishing analignment axis between the two base units.

It would be beneficial to have an omnidirectional photosensor on eachbase unit, to help begin the process of “finding” the other base unit,before the more precise positioning commands are commenced using thenull-position photosensor. For example, without an omnidirectionalsensor on the base units, if the second base unit's null-positionphotosensor is pointing away from the first base unit at the moment thefirst base unit's rotating fan beam strikes the second base unit, thenthat null-position photosensor (which does not extend 360 degrees aroundthe base unit) would not be aware of that fan beam striking the secondbase unit, so valuable time would be lost, waiting for the next attempt.(Both base units rotate their fan beams—along with their null-positionphotosensors—about a vertical axis, so that the fan beams can point atany azimuth angle on the jobsite.)

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an advantage to provide an omnidirectional lens thatreceives light beams from all directions of the compass and directsthose light beams to a photosensor.

It is another advantage to provide an omnidirectional lens that can actin a “beacon mode” to emit light beams from one or more LEDs, and toemit such light beams in all directions of the compass.

It is yet another advantage to provide an omnidirectional two-way lensof the type which captures light from virtually all angles of incidencearound the compass, and also emits light in virtually all directionsaround the compass.

It is still another advantage to provide an omnidirectional lens thatemits light beams in a beacon mode, using at least one photon-emittingelectronic device, such as an LED (light emitting diode), that emitslight beams that are received by shaped surfaces of lens device, andthen re-directed both upward and outward, toward the outer surfaces ofthe omnidirectional lens device, to be emitted at all angles of thecompass.

It is a further advantage to provide an omnidirectional lens that emitslight beams in a beacon mode, using at least one photon-emittingelectronic device, such as an LED (light emitting diode), that emitslight beams that are directed to a top cap portion having acylindrically-shaped surface that has a textured outer surface, and thistexturing causes the outward-going light beams (as photons) to bere-directed one final time into many, many angles.

Additional advantages and other novel features will be set forth in partin the description that follows and in part will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may belearned with the practice of the technology disclosed herein.

To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, and in accordance withone aspect, an omnidirectional lens apparatus is provided, whichcomprises: (a) a light-conductive first portion; (b) a light-conductivesecond portion, wherein the first portion is mounted adjacent to thesecond portion; (c) the first portion being substantially cylindrical inshape, having a first outer perimeter, the first portion having a firstsurface that faces toward and is proximal to the second portion, and thefirst portion having a second surface that faces away from and is distalto the second portion; and (d) the second portion being generallycylindrical in shape at a second outer perimeter that is proximal to thefirst portion, the second portion having a generally conical thirdsurface that is proximal to the first portion, and the second portionhaving a fourth surface that faces away from and is distal to the firstportion, the fourth surface forming a protrusion extending to a distalend; (e) wherein: the first outer perimeter exhibits a textured surfacefinish.

In accordance with another aspect, an omnidirectional lens assembly isprovided, which comprises: (a) at least one photosensor; (b) at leastone light-emitting device; (c) a light-conductive material that passeslight beams at predetermined light wavelengths; wherein: (i) thelight-conductive material has first surfaces that receive first lightbeams from at least one external source at a plurality of angles withrespect to a predetermined plane, in which the first surfaces are shapedto re-direct at least a portion of the first light beams to the at leastone photosensor that is positioned proximal to the light-conductivematerial; (ii) the light-conductive material has second surfaces, thesecond surfaces that receive second light beams emitted by the at leastone light-emitting device that is positioned proximal to thelight-conductive material; and (iii) the light-conductive material hasthird surfaces, the light-conductive material being shaped to re-directat least a portion of the second light beams toward the third surfaces,the third surfaces having a textured surface finish to scatter lightinto a plurality of directions with respect to the predetermined plane.

In accordance with yet another aspect, an omnidirectional lens assemblyis provided, which comprises: (a) at least one photosensor; (b) at leastone light-emitting device; (c) a substantially light-conductive materialthat passes light beams at predetermined light wavelengths, the lightconducting material having: (i) a first surface portion for receivingexternally-produced first light beams; (ii) a second surface portionthat is positioned proximal to the at least one photosensor; (iii) athird surface portion that is positioned proximal to the at least onelight-emitting device; (iv) a fourth surface portion for emitting lightbeams, the fourth surface portion having a textured surface finish; and(v) a fifth portion that is shaped to direct at least a portion of thereceived first light beams from the first surface portion toward thesecond surface portion; (d) a first circuit pathway for sending signalsfrom the at least one photosensor to an external device; and (e) asecond circuit pathway for receiving signals from an external device tothe at least one light-emitting device; (f) wherein: (i) the firstsurface portion is shaped to receive the first light beams fromsubstantially every direction in a substantially horizontal plane; (ii)the third surface portion is shaped to receive second light beams fromthe at least one light-emitting device, and to direct at least a portionof the second light beams toward the fifth portion; (iii) the fifthportion is also shaped to receive the at least a portion of the secondlight beams from the third portion, which comprise third light beams,and to direct at least a portion of the third light beams toward thefourth surface portion; (iv) the fourth surface portion is shaped toreceive the at least a portion of the third light beams, which comprisefourth light beams, and to emit at least a portion of the fourth lightbeams at a plurality of directions that includes substantially everydirection in the substantially horizontal plane.

Still other advantages will become apparent to those skilled in this artfrom the following description and drawings wherein there is describedand shown a preferred embodiment in one of the best modes contemplatedfor carrying out the technology. As will be realized, the technologydisclosed herein is capable of other different embodiments, and itsseveral details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspectsall without departing from its principles. Accordingly, the drawings anddescriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not asrestrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification illustrate several aspects of the technology disclosedherein, and together with the description and claims serve to explainthe principles of the technology. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a two-way omnidirectional lens, showingthe lens upside down, as constructed according to the principles of thetechnology disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two-way omnidirectional lens of FIG.1, also an upside down view, showing the components without the printedcircuit board.

FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view in perspective of the lens of FIG. 1,also an upside down view, showing details of how the top cap and thereflector portions are mated together.

FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view in perspective of the lens of FIG. 1,showing the lens right side up, as viewed from below.

FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway view in perspective of the lens of the lensof FIG. 1, this time showing the lens right side up, as viewed fromabove.

FIG. 6 is a rear, elevational view of the lens of FIG. 1, without theprinted circuit board.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above and the right hand side of thelens of FIG. 1, without the printed circuit board.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the lens of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the lens of FIG. 1, without the printedcircuit board.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the lens of FIG. 1, without theprinted circuit board.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view from the left side of the lens of FIG. 1,without the printed circuit board.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view from the right side of the lens of FIG.1, without the printed circuit board.

FIG. 13 is a front section view in an elevational configuration of thelens of FIG. 1, taken along the line 13-13 as seen on FIG. 8, withoutthe printed circuit board.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view in cross-section of the lens of FIG. 1,showing an incoming light line example, without the printed circuitboard.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view in cross-section of the lens of FIG. 1,showing an outgoing light line example, without the printed circuitboard.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view in cross-section of the lens of FIG. 1,showing multiple incoming light lines.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view in cross-section of the lens of FIG. 1,showing multiple outgoing light lines.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view from above showing a Trimble base unitwith the two-way omnidirectional lens mounted on top, as would normallybe used on a jobsite.

FIG. 19 is a front section view in an elevational configuration of afirst alternative embodiment of a lens similar to that of FIG. 1, viewedwithout a printed circuit board.

FIG. 20 is a front section view in an elevational configuration of asecond alternative embodiment of a lens similar to that of FIG. 1,viewed without a printed circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiment, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughoutthe views.

It is to be understood that the technology disclosed herein is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and thearrangement of components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The technology disclosed herein is capableof other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should notbe regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and“mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompassdirect and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition,the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are notrestricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The terms “first” and “second” preceding an element name, e.g., firstinlet, second inlet, etc., are used for identification purposes todistinguish between similar or related elements, results or concepts,and are not intended to necessarily imply order, nor are the terms“first” and “second” intended to preclude the inclusion of additionalsimilar or related elements, results or concepts, unless otherwiseindicated.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a two-way omnidirectional lens, generallyreferred to by the reference numeral 10, is illustrated, having a topcap portion at reference numeral 20, a reflector portion at referencenumeral 40, and an electronic subassembly at the reference numeral 100.In this view, the bottom side of the printed circuit board is depictedat 110, and shows mounting screws 122, and an electrical connector at124. This view of FIG. 1 is upside down, and hence the bottom side ofthe circuit board 110 is seen.

Since FIG. 1 is upside down with regard to the typical orientation ofthe lens 10, the “top cap” 20 is at the bottom of this view. The maincylindrical outer surface is depicted at 22 of this top cap 20. Thereflector portion 40 has a larger outer diameter having an outercircumferential surface at 46, and a bottom surface at 64. This enlargedportion defined by the area 64 and the outer circumferential surface 46is part of a mounting flange, which also has a small protrusion or tabat one position along its circumference at the reference numeral 70. Apedestal at 126 is designed into the reflector portion to receive one ofthe mounting screws 122 of the printed circuit board.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the lens 10 is seen in a very similarorientation, however, the printed circuit board 110 has been removedfrom this view. Without the P.C. board other components can be seen inthis view. For example, both screw pedestals 126 are visible, as well asthree light emitting diodes (LEDs) at 112. In addition, there areelectrical leads 120 that extend from the major electrical componentsthat are visible in FIG. 2. These electrical leads 120 are typicallymade of a conductive metal.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a major portion of the lens 10 is visible in acutaway view, which exposes the shapes of some of the internal surfacesof these major components. With regard to the top cap 20, there is aflange-like surface 30 that runs circumferentially around the lowersurface of the top cap portion, there is a spherical-shaped interiorsurface at 24, and there is an arcuate and concave surface 26 that facesthe reflector portion 40. There also is a circular notch 28 thatreceives a mating circular protrusion 48 of the reflector 40. Finally,part of the shape 24 is continued in phantom lines at 34, to show theoverall outer circular shape of the conical portion 24, which preferablyis painted a bright color (such as white) on its outer surface, with amatte finish. As an alternative to a matte finish, the outer sphericalsurface 24 could be dimpled, or have some other form of textured finish.The effect of this textured finish, whether it comprises a matte finishor some other type of surface roughness, will be described below ingreater detail.

The reflector portion 40 also has some interesting internal shapes,including the circular protrusion 48 that fits into the circular notch28 of the top cap, an outer cylindrical surface 42 that essentiallymaintains a constant radius, which extends to an outer sloped surface 44that nearly maintains the outer cylindrical shape. This sloped surface44 continues until reaching the mounting flange formed by the outercircumferential surface 46, by continuing to a large outer surface 62that can be seen on FIG. 5. The surfaces 42 and 44 form an upper (inFIG. 4) outer perimeter of the reflector portion 40 that is generallycylindrical in shape. In this illustrated embodiment, the surface 42 issubstantially cylindrical, having a circular outer perimeter that is ofa substantially constant radius, while the surface 44 is only generallycylindrical, since it tapers outward as one looks down in a directedfrom the top cap 20 toward the flange upper surface 62—FIG. 6 showsthese shapes quite well. It will be understood that the term“substantially cylindrical,” which is used to describe the shape ofcertain structures that are disclosed herein, does not mean “strictlycylindrical.” In other words, a substantially cylindrical shape could ofcourse have a purely circular outer perimeter, but it could also besomewhat elliptical or even egg-shaped, and still adequately work toreceive light beams, or transmit light beams, for the purposes of thistechnology.

On the opposite side of the flange is a large surface 64 that is mostlycircular at its outer diameter, and as one travels toward the center ofthat circle, one comes upon a sloped surface 52 that extends downward(in this orientation of FIG. 3) until reaching a point where the slopebegins aiming upward again at 54. The sloped surfaces 52 and 54 form atapered inner perimeter that creates a “pocket” or space that isdesigned to capture light that is emitted from the LEDs 112 that arepositioned just below that “pocket” or space (see FIG. 4). The capturing(i.e., refracting) of light rays will be discussed below in greaterdetail.

These sloped shapes are essentially symmetrical about a (vertical)centerline of the reflector 40, and the sloped surface 54 creates atruncated conical or “wedge” extending portion at 58. As will bediscussed below in greater detail, this extending portion 58 will act asa light guide, by directing light beams that are received by the lens10, upward (in this view of FIG. 3) until reaching the truncated surface68 of the reflector portion 40, where a photosensor 114 is positioned,as can be seen in FIG. 3. As will be discussed below, the main purposeof the lens 10 is to direct light beams that are received from externalsources to this photosensor 114, and also to direct light beams that areemitted by the LEDs 112 through other portions of the reflector 40 andtop cap 20, so that they are emitted to the outside or externalenvironment, and thus can be seen by the human eye of a worker (user) onthe jobsite. The centerline of the reflector 40 is essentially co-linearwith a centerline of the top cap 20, when those two pieces are matedtogether to create the overall subassembly lens 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the lens 10 is again seen in a perspective,cross-section view, this time it is right side up. This view showsessentially the same components as were seen in FIG. 3, but that isbecause the viewer of FIG. 4 is looking at the bottom portion of theassembly 10. Virtually the same shapes and surfaces that were describedin reference to FIG. 3 are again seen on FIG. 4. However in FIG. 4 onecan see a sloped surface 50 that is formed at the upper-most region ofthe reflector 40. This sloped surface 50 forms what appears to be apyramidal shaped surface when viewed on FIG. 4. However, sloped surface50 actually is a generally conical region that comes to a fairly sharppoint; note that, in some of the other figures (such as in FIG. 5), thegenerally conical shape formed by the sloped surface 50 is essentiallyrounded at its tip. Both of these “tip shapes” (sharp or rounded) willadequately work for the purposes described herein, although it should bementioned that the more rounded tip is probably easier to mold as aplastic part, particularly with regard to its releasing from theinjection mold machine.

Another surface that is seen in these drawings is at 32, which is asomewhat chamfered shape that is at the upper-most outer edge of thecircumferential outer shape of the top cap 20. As can be more readilyseen in FIG. 5, this upper shape 32 is the surface that joins the outercylindrical shape 22 to the inner arcuate (concave) shape 24.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the lens 10 is illustrated in an elevationalplan view from the rear, and clearly shows the bottom surface 68 of thetruncated conical portion 54 of the reflector 40. Also visible on FIG. 6is a bottom portion 72 of the small extending tab 70 along the outerperimeter of the circular (or cylindrical) outer surface 46 of themounting flange portion of the reflector 40.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the lens 10 is illustrated in a perspectiveview from above, showing the shape of the small protruding tab 70, andshowing the upper shape of the top cap portion 20. Referring now to FIG.8, the lens 10 is illustrated in a top plan view, and exhibits a sectionline 13-13, which will show a cross-section view on FIG. 13.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the lens 10 is shown in a bottom plan view,showing the general positions of the electronic components, includingthe LEDs 112 and the photosensor 114. This view does not show the actualprinted circuit board 110, which normally would block the line of sightto these electronic components that are seen on FIG. 9.

The next three views are all elevational views showing the entire lens10, minus the printed circuit board. FIG. 10 is a front view, while FIG.11 is a left side view, and FIG. 12 is a right side view. These threeviews, with the addition of the rear elevational view of FIG. 6, showthe entire two-way omnidirectional lens 10 from all four quarters, inelevation.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the lens 10 is illustrated in a fullcross-section view in an elevational configuration. The various internaland external shapes of the reflector portion 40 are all illustrated anddesignated by reference numerals, including the extended truncatedconical wedge-shaped portion 58, which is defined by its outer surface54, and terminates at the bottom planar surface at 68 (see FIG. 6); andon the opposite side of that interior shape is a surface 52 that forms adifferent truncated conical shape toward the outer diameter of thereflector portion, and has a bottom circular outer edge at 66, which isessentially co-linear with the surface 64, in this elevational frontview. It will be understood that there is a space between the arcuatesurface 26 and the generally conical surface 50; this space can be anair gap, or it can be filled with a specific gas compound duringassembly of the lens 10; it could even be made a vacuum, if desired.

The upper surface of photosensor 114 is generally indicated at areference numeral 56. This surface is essentially co-linear (in thishorizontal view) with the bottom surface 68 of the truncated conicalportion 58—see FIGS. 3 and 6. (Note: there could be an air gap betweenthe bottom surface 68 of the lens portion 54 and the top surface 56 ofthe photosensor 114, without degrading performance to a significantdegree.) The top portions of the reflector 40 are also illustrated onFIG. 13, including the conical shaped-surface 50, which has a top edge60. An opposite arcuate (concave) portion having a surface 26 is seen inthis view, and that surface 26 is part of the top cap portion 20.Surface 26 makes up the bottommost surface that transmits light beamstherethrough, and above that is another arcuate (concave) surface 24that is the topmost portion of the top cap 20. In general, the “bottom”surface at 68 for the light guide portion 58 is proximal to thephotosensor 114, while the upper surface at 50 represents the distalsurface for light guide portion 58. The “side” internal surfaces 52 and54 are proximal to the LEDs 112, and are designed to “capture” themajority of the light being generated by the LEDs 112 of the lens device10, and then to direct (or guide) that emitted light upward toward thedistal surface 50 of the light guide portion 58, as well as the outersurfaces 42 and 44.

Now that the shapes have been described and illustrated, a generaldiscussion of the purpose of this lens 10 is in order. The main purposeis to receive light beams from all angles around a horizontal plane (inother words, to receive light beams from all directions of the compassthat are somewhat (or nearly) horizontal, with respect to the Earth'ssurface). Once those light beams have been intercepted by the reflectorportion 40, they will be re-directed down to the photosensor 114. Inaddition, light beams that are emitted by the LEDs 112 will be receivedby the reflector's bottom area (i.e., at surfaces 52 and 54), and thoselight beams will be transmitted and re-directed both by the reflectorportion 40 and by the top cap portion 20. These light beam pathways willnow be discussed in some detail.

To do these things with light beams, both the reflector 40 and top cap20 need to be made of a light-conducting material, such as clear(transparent) plastic, or nearly-clear plastic. In one preferred mode ofthis device, certain surfaces of the top cap 20 and reflector 40 have amatte finish (or some other method of texturing their surfaces), tosomewhat diffuse the light beams as they are emitted by the LEDs 112.The textured surfaces can be formed by various manufacturing techniques,including, for example, designing the surfaces with some form ofdimpling or other mechanical coarse shape, a mechanical rougheningtechnique by use of an abrasive, a chemical roughening technique by useof a chemical bath or etching process, a paint or other coating with amatte finish, and the like. Also, certain surfaces (as discussed below)will intentionally be made reflective, perhaps by polishing. Theintended result of polishing on a particular external surface area will,in some cases, be that light rays (photons) will reflect off theinterior portion of the light-conductive material at that particulararea—depending on the angle of incidence of that light ray. Of course,light rays striking that particular area from its exterior side also maywell reflect, rather than refract.

It will be understood that the materials used to construct the top cap20 and the reflector 40 can be of virtually any type of light-conductingmaterials, including glass or plastic materials. In one embodiment oflens 10, these parts are made from molded acrylic plastic, and the topcap portion 20 is adhesively bonded to the reflector portion 40, at themating areas 28 and 48, respectively. The interior surfaces, such as thesurfaces 50, 52, and 54, can have a clear polished plastic (smooth)finish, especially for the surfaces 50 and 54, in which near-totalinternal reflection is desired. The outer surfaces 42 and 44 aregenerally also clear polished (smooth) plastic. The interior surface 24of the top cap 20 preferably is painted white to create an internalscatter. (It will be understood that other colors, or other types offinish could be used instead of paint.) Furthermore, the outer surface22 around the entire circumference of the top cap 20 preferably istextured in some way to create an external scatter of the light beams.One way to accomplish that is to have a matte finish in the plastic. Asnoted above, both surfaces 24 and 26 of the top cap 20 are arcuate inshape, and essentially can be a portion of a hemisphere.

The internal surface 50 may appear to be designed to try to focus thelight to a point. However, that is not actually the case for thistechnology, and it is there to more or less aim the incoming light beamstowards the wedge-shaped extension portion 58, but not to try toactually focus those beams. At the top surface of the photosensor at 56,an optical filter can be included, if desired. This would allow unwantedelectromagnetic frequencies in the near-visible light range to beeliminated, and thus not falsely trigger the electronics for thephotosensor 114. As stated above, the exact shape of the bottom “tip”portion, at the area 59 (FIG. 14), that “point” could be a roundedsurface, or could even be designed to intersect with a “core hole” thatcould be formed in the reflector portion 40. FIG. 16 shows a possibleshape for a core hole, at the reference numeral 80. In other words, thisexact shape is not entirely critical to achieving the goals of the lens10.

Referring now to FIG. 14, the various important shapes of the lens 10are illustrated in a view that emulates a section view, but shows all ofthe external and internal surfaces in solid lines. This is to visuallydifferentiate those surfaces from the dashed lines which represent lightbeams in this view. An example incoming light beam is illustrated at thereference numeral 200. It has a first line segment 202 that comes infrom the right side horizontally (as seen on this figure) and intersectsthe internal surface 51, which is part of the overall surface shape(off-center) of the conical surface 50. Light beam 200 is now reflectedand re-directed downward along a line segment 204 until it reaches areflecting surface 54, at which point it is again re-directed to becomea line segment 206. This line segment 206 intersects the upper surface56 of the photosensor 114. It will be understood that this is only asingle example of a light beam coming in horizontally at a particularelevation or height along the mid-surface 42 of the reflector portion40. Another more complete example is provided with respect to FIG. 16.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the right-hand LED 112 (in this view) emitstwo separate light beams at line segments 302 and 352. In general, thisview is acting as an example showing outgoing light beams, which as agroup are generally referred to by the reference numeral 300. Oncereaching the surface 52, both light beams are refracted and re-directed,and become line segments 304 and 354, respectively.

Upon reaching the external surface 44, a portion of the light beams isrefracted and a portion of these light beams is reflected. (It mostlydepends on the exact incidence angle of the photon when it reaches aninterface between the media.) The refracted portions become the lightbeam line segments 306 and 356, respectively. The reflected portionsbecome the light beam line segments 308 and 358, respectively. Oncethose two light beams 308 and 358 reach the internal surface 51 (whichis part of the overall surface 50), the light beams are perhaps slightlyre-directed, and become line segments 310 and 360, respectively. (Note:at these incidence angles on FIG. 15, the light beams 308 and 358 arerefracted at surfaces 50 and 51; at many other (less perpendicular)incidence angles, the light beams would have been internally reflectedby those same surfaces 50 and 51.) These two light beams continuethrough the gap below curved surface 26 and through that surface 26,where they might be slightly re-directed to become line segments 312 and362, respectively. These light beams reach the upper arcuate surface 24and are re-directed (by internal scattering) at that point to becomeline segments 314 and 364, respectively. They finally reach the externalsurface 22 where they are again re-directed (by external scattering) andbecome the light beams 316 and 366, respectively.

It can be seen from a quick inspection of FIG. 15, that each of theseemitted light beams 302 and 352 become light rays that, at two nearlyopposite azimuth angles (or directions), are finally emitted from theoverall lens 10. This is desired, because the outgoing light beams aregoing to be used to attract the attention of a human user on aconstruction jobsite, and it is desired that the human user can see thelight beams; or more accurately stated, it is desired for the human userto see at least one of the multiple light beams that are being emittedby a single LED from any angle while standing on the surface of thejobsite near the omnidirectional lens 10. A more complete example of theoutgoing light beams is provided in FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIG. 16, an example of several incoming light beams isprovided, in which a plurality of light beams are generally representedas a group by the reference numeral 200. In this example, these areessentially parallel light beams that are nearly horizontal, and theybegin at this angle (or these angles) at a reference numeral 202. Afterstriking the internal conical reflective surface 50, they arere-directed downward and become line segment light beams 204. Some ofthe light beam line segments 204 strike an internal core hole 80, andare reflected and re-directed as line segment light beams 220. Thoselight beams are bounced off of the reflective surface 54 and becomere-directed as line segment light beams 222. Ultimately, most of thelight beams 202 are re-directed one way or another until they reach theupper surface of the photosensor 114.

It is desired that light beams from virtually any direction around thecompass that are somewhat (or nearly) horizontal to the Earth's surfacewill eventually be re-directed to the photosensor 114. Since theinternal and external surfaces of the lens 10 are essentiallysymmetrical about a centerline (that is vertical with respect to theEarth's surface), it will be understood that any light rays that travelnearly horizontal (at the appropriate elevation) so as to strike theouter surfaces 42 and 44 will mostly be re-directed to the photosensor114. As can be seen on FIG. 16, the photosensor can be comprised as anintegrated circuit chip with electrical leads 120 that are connectedinto the printed circuit board 110.

Referring now to FIG. 17, this is an example of multiple light beamsthat are emitted by the right-hand LED 112, as seen in this view. TheLED emits multiple light beams that are generally designated by thereference numeral 332. These light beam line segments 332 are emitted atmany different angles, as would be expected with a standard LED (whichis not a laser diode).

These light beams 332 now reach two of the internal surfaces 52 and 54of the reflector portion 40, at which point their paths are refractedand re-directed. These beams now become multiple line segment lightbeams at 334 and 336. Some of these light beam line segments 334 willreach the outer surface 42 or the outer surface 44 of the reflectorportion 40, and some of their energy will be refracted externally, andbecome external light beams generally designated by the referencenumeral 390. Those light beams that are not refracted, but are insteadreflected (which will occur for most of the photonic energy), becomeother line segment light beams along other pathways also at 336. Themultiple light beam line segments 336 now intercept the internal surface50, and those that have a fairly normal angle of incidence will berefracted outward perhaps without changing their angle of flight verymuch. Some of those light beams 336 will intercept the opposite portionof the conical shaped surface 50 and will be reflected at a greaterangle to become light beam line segments 337 (those that are on theleft-hand side of the reflector 40 in this view of FIG. 17).

Most of these multiple light beams 336 and 337 will have paths thateventually reach the top cap portion 20, although some of the lightbeams will refract out from the reflector itself, as discussed above (tobecome one of the light beams 390). Along the right-hand side in thisexample view of FIG. 17, those light beams that reach the top cap 20will become light beam line segments 338 or 340, where they will reflectinternally off the top arcuate surface 24 and be re-directed (byinternal scattering) toward the circumferential surface 22 around theouter perimeter of the top cap 20. At this point the light beams willfinally refract out into the external environment, and will become oneof the multiple light beams that are generally designated by thereference numeral 342.

On the left-hand side of this example view of FIG. 17, the light beamline segments 336 and 344 will mostly intersect the arcuate surface 24and be reflected internally within the top cap 20. Many of those lightbeams will eventually reach the outer circumferential surface 22 alongthe outer perimeter of the top cap 20, and will refract out into theexternal environment as one of the plurality of light beams 348. Most ofthe light beams 344 will reflect (or scatter) off the arcuate surface24, and then become line segment light beams 346. Some light beams 346will be re-directed downward (in this view) and reflect off the arcuatesurface 26, and then be re-directed as part of the plurality of lightbeam line segments 346, finally to reach the outer surface 22 and beemitted as some of the light beams 348.

As can be seen from the example views of FIGS. 16 and 17, theomnidirectional lens 10 acts in two directions, both to receive incominglight rays and to emit outgoing light rays. In both modes of operation,the lens 10 acts as a 360 degree device, meaning that it is completelyomnidirectional with regard to the points of the compass for receivinglight rays (i.e., photons or “light beams”) and for emitting them aswell. When receiving light rays, most of the electromagnetic energy(i.e., the photons) will be re-directed to the photosensor 114, whichwill generate an electrical signal output that can be used by a baseunit that is discussed in other patent literature assigned to TrimbleNavigation Limited. The base units will be briefly discussed below. Whengenerating outgoing light rays (i.e., photons or “light beams”), thelens 10 will operate in a “beacon mode” of operation, which is used toconvey operational information to end users that are standing nearby onthe construction jobsite. Since there are three different LEDs (112),each LED can be of a different color, and therefore they can flash atdifferent sequences and rates, as well as emit different colors toconvey operating information to the end users at the jobsite. If thethree LEDs are red, green, and blue, for example, then with anycombination of output energy by any of these three primary colors,virtually any desired color can be produced and emitted along a 360degree output pattern by the lens 10 when operating in this beacon mode.This will be discussed some more, below.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a Trimble base unit is illustrated, generallydesignated by the reference numeral 5. The two-way omnidirectional lens10 is seated on the top portion of the base unit 5. The top cap 20 andthe reflector portion 40 can clearly be seen in this view. Base unit 5can be moved anywhere on the jobsite floor, as desired by the user. Oncein position, the omnidirectional lens 10 will then be able to receivelight rays from virtually any direction and redirect those light rays tothe photosensor 114, which has an electrical output that will ultimatelyreach the base unit 5 by way of a first circuit pathway, allowing thebase unit to thereby respond accordingly. When desired, the base unitwill output electrical signals that drive the LEDs 112 of theomnidirectional lens 10, by way of a second circuit pathway. One or moreof these LEDs 112 will then emit light rays that will be spread againstthe outer perimeter in an omnidirectional fashion, as described above.This allows the users at the jobsite to understand various informationthat the base unit is conveying, merely by seeing different colors anddifferent patterns of flashing and repetition rates of those colorflashes.

It will be understood that the photosensor and the LEDs could bereplaced by purely optical components, perhaps using some futuretechnology that allows for such devices at a commercially viable cost.In that circumstance, the above-noted first and second circuit pathwayswould become optical signal pathways, not electrical signal pathways.Moreover, the photosensor would become a light-gathering device thatfurther transmits that gathered light; and the LEDs would become sometype of light-emitting device that receives an optical signal—perhapsalong an optical fiber—and then outputs that optical signal alongmultiple pathways at multiple incidence angles.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, the upper surface of the base unit is generallydepicted at the reference numeral 150. A mounting plate 152 is alsogenerally depicted and, as can be seen, mounting plate 152 will cover aportion of the upper surface 62 of the omnidirectional lens 10, therebyholding the lens 10 in place atop base unit 5.

The base unit 5 has certain capabilities that are described in earlierpatent documents that are assigned to Trimble Navigation Limited. Onesuch document is U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,176; a second such document ispublished application number US 2012/0203502. The published applicationteaches using a fan beam that is emitted by a base unit which typicallyconsists of modulated laser light; typically either a green, red, orinfrared laser generates that fan beam. In the published application,the base units have a sensitive “null-position” photodetector (orphotosensor) that can delineate horizontal positioning, and can help aimthe fan beam until it is directly striking the center portion of asecond base unit (number 2, or BU#2), assuming the fan beam is beinggenerated by a first base unit (number 1, or BU#1). Once the fan beam isbeing received at the second base unit (BU#2), its controller (i.e., atBU#2) decides what to do with regard to attempting to adjust the fanbeam position (i.e., the azimuth angle) at which the first base unit(BU#1) is emitting the fan beam. The ultimate goal is to have the fanbeam strike directly at the centerline of the horizontal-sensitive(null-position) photosensor on the second base unit (BU#2).

While all of the above is occurring automatically, the human usersstanding on the jobsite really have no exact idea what is going onbetween base units numbers 1 and 2 while those units are aligning(positioning) their fan beams to establish an alignment axis. That iswhere the two-way omnidirectional lens 10 can come into play. The lens10 will receive an initial strike of the laser fan beam, and when thatoccurs, it can quickly inform the first base unit (BU#1) that its fanbeam has finally found the second base unit (BU#2), although the finepositioning may not be quite yet accomplished. The omnidirectional lens10 at the second base unit (BU#2) merely needs to be receiving some ofthe fan beam light from the first base unit (BU#1), and the exact fanbeam position is not important at first, so long as it (BU#2) isreceiving a certain minimum amount of energy from the fan beam emittedby the first base unit (BU#1).

Once that occurs, the second base unit (BU#2) will receive a signal fromthe photosensor 114 of the omnidirectional lens 10, and the controllerin that base unit (number 2) can then start sending signals toilluminate one or more of the LEDs of this same omnidirectional lens 10.For example, a blue LED at BU#2 could start emitting light once thefirst base unit (BU#1) has its fan beam striking the omnidirectionallens 10 of the second base unit (BU#2). If the second base unit (BU#2)on that jobsite floor also is emitting a (second) fan beam and is tryingto find the omnidirectional lens 10 of BU#1, then once that fan beam(which would likely have a different modulation signal) meets up withthat omnidirectional lens (at BU#1), then the lens 10 at BU#1 could haveits green LED start emitting light, thereby informing the end users onthe jobsite floor that the second base unit (BU#2) is now targeting theomnidirectional lens 10 at BU#1.

In this manner, the users at the jobsite can literally “see” the baseunits working together, and can identify which base unit is #1 or #2 bythe color of its lens 10, now being emitted during the axis alignmentprocedure (e.g., either blue or green color, in this example). Inaddition, it should be noted that the omnidirectional lens 10 can alsobe used with active targets, as discussed in the published applicationnoted above.

It will be understood that the received laser beam could be profiled,and thus its position where it impacts the photosensor 114 could becalculated; or a split-cell photosensor could be used as the mainphotosensor 114, for example, to determine the position where thereceived laser beam is striking the photosensor. In either case, thissensor assembly using omnidirectional lens 10 could be used as a finepositioning sensor; moreover, other combinations of multiple photocellsensors could instead be used for that same purpose.

The omnidirectional lens 10 can also have a third LED of a third color,such as red. For example, if the red LED is illuminated, that canindicate a warning that the battery has become low on charge for thebase unit (or an active target) that is carrying this omnidirectionallens 10. This will create a visual signal that will be hard to ignore bythe end users on the jobsite. Many other types of control functions canbe passed on to the human users by way of the various LED signals thatcan be produced by the omnidirectional lens 10.

Various other functions could have signals such as the following:

-   -   (1) After first being turned on, the base unit could be        searching for the wireless network, and it could command the        LEDs of the omnidirectional lens 10 to cycle through various        color patterns, such as red, green, blue, red, green, blue.    -   (2) Once the base unit has found the wireless network, the LEDs        could be commanded to stay on steady for several seconds. If all        three LEDs were commanded to do so, then the color of the light        would be white for this indication.    -   (3) If the base unit is “leveling,” then the “main color” for        that particular base unit could be flashing while the leveling        function is occurring.    -   (4) As noted above, if the battery for this base unit is low on        charge, the red LED could be commanded to energize, either as a        steady signal, or by some type of repeated flashing.    -   (5) If there is an error status, again the red LED could be        used, and again it could either be a steady signal or it could        be flashing in a certain type of repetition pattern, as desired        by the system designer of the base units.    -   (6) If the base unit is updating, based on information being        received through the wireless network, then the LEDs could be        emitting a purple color (e.g., this would be a red LED plus blue        LED simultaneously flashing or turning on steadily).    -   (7) If the base unit is having its battery charged, then a slow        blinking yellow light could be emitted by the omnidirectional        lens 10 (which would be a red LED plus green LED simultaneously        illuminating in a blinking pattern).

It will be understood that the top portion of the base unit rotatesabout a vertical axis, but the omnidirectional lens 10 has no movingparts. The top portion of the base unit houses the fan beam lightgenerating device (typically a laser diode), and also houses thehorizontally-sensitive null-position sensor; these devices must rotate(together) so as to move to other angles in the azimuth direction.However, the structure of the omnidirectional lens 10 has major portionsthat are substantially symmetrical, and therefore, the omnidirectionallens itself has no moving parts, but works well in any case in receivinglight beams from substantially all angles about the azimuth, and foremitting light beams at substantially all angles about the azimuth.

An alternative embodiment for constructing the omnidirectional lens isdepicted in FIG. 19. The overall structure is generally designated bythe reference numeral 12, and for the most part it is quite similar tothe lens 10 that is depicted in FIG. 13. On FIG. 19, the lens 12 has amore easily manufactured upper portion 14, which has substantiallyplanar upper and lower surfaces, at 90 and 92, respectively. The lightray pathways for this alternative embodiment lens 12 will be differentthat those illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, but it will still adequatelyfunction for the most part. It is not a preferred embodiment from thestandpoint of “light guide” pathway efficiency.

Another alternative embodiment for constructing the omnidirectional lensis depicted in FIG. 20. The overall structure is generally designated bythe reference numeral 16, and for the most part it is quite similar tothe lens 10 that is depicted in FIG. 13. On FIG. 20, the lens 16 has aconvex upper portion 18, which has an upper surface having an outer ringarea at 96, and a central extending area at 94. The lower surface 98 isdepicted as being substantially planar. The light ray pathways for thisalternative embodiment lens 16 will be different that those illustratedin FIGS. 16 and 17, but it will still adequately function for the mostpart. Note that both alternative embodiments 12 and 16 could have aconcave lower surface for the upper portions 14 or 18, if desired—i.e.,instead of substantially planar surfaces 92 or 98, they could have acurved surface profile, similar to the surface 26 on FIG. 13.

In conclusion, the omnidirectional lens 10 is a highly efficient devicein capturing light rays from all directions of the compass, particularlyif these light rays are traveling in a near horizontal direction.Therefore, these lenses 10 are quite suitable for use on constructionjobsites with the base units that are described in the patent andpublished application noted above. This same structure is also verysuitable for emitting light rays in all directions when one or more ofits LEDs is illuminated, to send visual information to users on thejobsite floor.

It will be understood that light rays (or “light beams”) that are nottravelling in a near-horizontal direction will sometimes be interceptedby the lens 10, and will nevertheless end up being re-directed to thephotosensor of that lens device. If the desired modulated light“signals” (i.e., those light beams that are emitted by a fan beam of abase unit, for example) happen to be travelling at some other angle than“near-horizontal” for a particular situation on a jobsite, and if thoselight signals are nevertheless received by the photosensor of the lens10 and properly decoded, then the main purpose of the lens 10 will havebeen accomplished. The fact that the examples presented herein showexclusively “near-horizontal” incoming light beams does not mean thatthe lens 10, and its main operating principles, is limited tosuccessfully receiving only such “near-horizontal” incoming light beams.It is expected that, on a typical jobsite that has two base unitsresting on the same jobsite floor or surface, the received fan beamswill indeed be travelling at near-horizontal pathways, because both fanbeams laser emitters will be resting at almost exactly the sameelevation. Knowing this fact, however, does not render the lens 10 fromalso properly working with non-near-horizontal incoming light beams.

It will also be understood that the received light beams discussedherein are typically laser light beams, including light beams that areemitted by a “fan beam” device, such as a Trimble base unit. Such laserlight will typically be spread into a fan shape, and usually modulatedwith a predetermined “signal” pattern to delineate one base unit fromthe other on a jobsite. The laser beam can be of any desired lightwavelength, although the typical lasers used in construction today oftenemit one of green visible light, red visible light, or infrared light.The photosensor device on the chip 114 can be designed to have thecapability to receive all of these wavelengths in a single device,without changing any components. It will further be understood thatlaser light is not always necessary for the lens 10 to perform itsfunctions, although certainly laser light is preferred for use with mostbase units.

It will be further understood that the emitted light beams discussedherein are generally not to be of laser light. In general, when theomnidirectional lens 10 is operating in its beacon mode, it is desiredto “spread” the emitted light beams into many, many angles. In fact, itis preferred to spread the emitted light beams at all angles of thecompass—as a 360 degree beacon.

It will be yet further understood that the terms “light ray(s)” or“light beam(s)” are generally used to refer to photons, and that suchphotons are typically understood to be travelling in a particulardirection as they move. The term “light beam” might seem moreappropriate when discussing a laser beam, however, in this patentdisclosure, a light beam can be either collimated light ornon-collimated light. All photons move in a direction regardless of howthey are polarized, and every single photon can comprise an individuallight beam, or light ray. The terms “light beam line segment” or “linesegment light beam” both generally refer to the examples illustrated onFIGS. 14-17, where various light beams are reflected or refracted, andoften change direction. Each line segment is merely a portion of thetravel of such light beams or light rays.

As discussed above, two earlier patent documents are related to thetechnology disclosed herein, and are hereby incorporated by reference.These patent documents are: U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,176, titled “TWODIMENSION LAYOUT AND POINT TRANSFER SYSTEM;” and Published PatentApplication No. US 2012/0203502, titled “AUTOMATED LAYOUT AND POINTTRANSFER SYSTEM.” Both of these patent documents are assigned to TrimbleNavigation Limited of Sunnyvale, Calif., and are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

It will be understood that the logical operations described herein canbe implemented using sequential logic (such as by using microprocessortechnology), or using a logic state machine, or perhaps by discretelogic; it even could be implemented using parallel processors. Onepreferred embodiment may use a microprocessor or microcontroller (e.g.,microprocessor to execute software instructions that are stored inmemory cells within an ASIC. In fact, the entire microprocessor, alongwith RAM and executable ROM, may be contained within a single ASIC, inone mode of the technology disclosed herein. Of course, other types ofcircuitry could be used to implement these logical operations withoutdeparting from the principles of the technology disclosed herein. In anyevent, some type of processing circuit may be provided, whether it isbased on a microprocessor, a logic state machine, by using discretelogic elements to accomplish these tasks, or perhaps by a type ofcomputation device not yet invented; moreover, some type of memorycircuit may be provided, whether it is based on typical RAM chips, EEROMchips (including Flash memory), by using discrete logic elements tostore data and other operating information, or perhaps by a type ofmemory device not yet invented.

It will also be understood that the precise logical operations discussedabove, could be somewhat modified to perform similar, although notexact, functions without departing from the principles of the technologydisclosed herein. The exact nature of some of the decision steps andother commands in these flow charts are directed toward specific futuremodels of devices used on construction jobsites (those involving laserreceivers sold by Trimble Navigation Limited, for example) and certainlysimilar, but somewhat different, steps would be taken for use with othermodels or brands of sensing systems or control systems in manyinstances, with the overall inventive results being the same.

As used herein, the term “proximal” can have a meaning of closelypositioning one physical object with a second physical object, such thatthe two objects are perhaps adjacent to one another, although it is notnecessarily required that there be no third object positionedtherebetween. In the technology disclosed herein, there may be instancesin which a “male locating structure” is to be positioned “proximal” to a“female locating structure.” In general, this could mean that the twomale and female structures are to be physically abutting one another, orthis could mean that they are “mated” to one another by way of aparticular size and shape that essentially keeps one structure orientedin a predetermined direction and at an X-Y (e.g., horizontal andvertical) position with respect to one another, regardless as to whetherthe two male and female structures actually touch one another along acontinuous surface. Or, two structures of any size and shape (whethermale, female, or otherwise in shape) may be located somewhat near oneanother, regardless if they physically abut one another or not; such arelationship could still be termed “proximal.” Or, two or more possiblelocations for a particular point can be specified in relation to aprecise attribute of a physical object, such as being “near” or “at” theend of a stick; all of those possible near/at locations could be deemed“proximal” to the end of that stick. Moreover, the term “proximal” canalso have a meaning that relates strictly to a single object, in whichthe single object may have two ends, and the “distal end” is the endthat is positioned somewhat farther away from a subject point (or area)of reference, and the “proximal end” is the other end, which would bepositioned somewhat closer to that same subject point (or area) ofreference.

It will be understood that the various components that are describedand/or illustrated herein can be fabricated in various ways, includingin multiple parts or as a unitary part for each of these components,without departing from the principles of the technology disclosedherein. For example, a component that is included as a recited elementof a claim hereinbelow may be fabricated as a unitary part; or thatcomponent may be fabricated as a combined structure of severalindividual parts that are assembled together. But that “multi-partcomponent” will still fall within the scope of the claimed, recitedelement for infringement purposes of claim interpretation, even if itappears that the claimed, recited element is described and illustratedherein only as a unitary structure.

In addition, it should be understood that embodiments disclosed hereininclude both hardware and electronic components or modules that, forpurposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if themajority of the components were implemented solely in hardware.

However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading ofthis detailed description, would recognize that, in at least oneembodiment, the electronic based aspects of the technology disclosedherein may be implemented in software. As such, it should be noted thata plurality of hardware and software-based devices, as well as aplurality of different structural components may be utilized toimplement the technology disclosed herein. Furthermore, if software isutilized, then the processing circuit that executes such software can beof a general purpose computer, while fulfilling all the functions thatotherwise might be executed by a special purpose computer that could bedesigned for specifically implementing this technology.

It will be understood that the term “circuit” as used herein canrepresent an actual electronic circuit, such as an integrated circuitchip (or a portion thereof), or it can represent a function that isperformed by a processing device, such as a microprocessor or an ASICthat includes a logic state machine or another form of processingelement (including a sequential processing device). A specific type ofcircuit could be an analog circuit or a digital circuit of some type,although such a circuit possibly could be implemented in software by alogic state machine or a sequential processor. In other words, if aprocessing circuit is used to perform a desired function used in thetechnology disclosed herein (such as a demodulation function), thenthere might not be a specific “circuit” that could be called a“demodulation circuit;” however, there would be a demodulation“function” that is performed by the software. All of these possibilitiesare contemplated by the inventors, and are within the principles of thetechnology when discussing a “circuit.”

All documents cited in the Background and in the Detailed Descriptionare, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation ofany document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the technology disclosed herein.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the technology disclosed herein to the preciseform disclosed, and the technology disclosed herein may be furthermodified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Any examplesdescribed or illustrated herein are intended as non-limiting examples,and many modifications or variations of the examples, or of thepreferred embodiment(s), are possible in light of the above teachings,without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology disclosedherein. The embodiment(s) was chosen and described in order toillustrate the principles of the technology disclosed herein and itspractical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the artto utilize the technology disclosed herein in various embodiments andwith various modifications as are suited to particular usescontemplated. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the technology disclosed hereinusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this technology disclosedherein pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An omnidirectional lens, comprising: (a) alight-conductive first portion; (b) a light-conductive second portion,wherein said first portion is mounted adjacent to said second portion;(c) said first portion being substantially cylindrical in shape, havinga first outer perimeter, said first portion having a first surface thatfaces toward and is proximal to said second portion, and said firstportion having a second surface that faces away from and is distal tosaid second portion; and (d) said second portion being generallycylindrical in shape at a second outer perimeter that is proximal tosaid first portion, said second portion having a generally conical thirdsurface that is proximal to said first portion, and said second portionhaving a fourth surface that faces away from and is distal to said firstportion, said fourth surface forming a protrusion extending to a distalend; (e) wherein: said first outer perimeter exhibits a textured surfacefinish, wherein: said first surface exhibits a substantially smoothsurface finish; said second surface exhibits a textured surface finish;and said third surface exhibits a substantially smooth surface finish;and said fourth surface exhibits a substantially smooth surface finish,wherein: at least a portion of light rays that are intercepted by saidsecond outer perimeter are refracted by said second outer perimeter,then reflected by said third surface and re-directed toward the distalend of said protrusion, further comprising a photosensor that ispositioned proximal to the distal end of said protrusion, and whichreceives said at least a portion of light rays.
 2. An omnidirectionallens, comprising: (a) at least one photosensor; (b) at least onelight-emitting light source; (c) a light-conductive material that passeslight beams at predetermined light wavelengths; wherein: (i) saidlight-conductive material has first surfaces that receive first lightbeams from at least one external source, in which said first surfacesare shaped to re-direct at least a portion of said first light beams tosaid at least one photosensor that is positioned proximal to saidlight-conductive material, such that said omnidirectional lens is ableto receive light beams from virtually any direction with regard to thepoints of the compass and redirect at least a portion of said firstlight beams to said at least one photosensor; (ii) said light-conductivematerial has second surfaces that receive second light beams emitted bysaid at least one light-emitting light source that is positionedproximal to said light-conductive material; and (iii) saidlight-conductive material has third surfaces, said light-conductivematerial being shaped to re-direct at least a portion of said secondlight beams toward said third surfaces, said third surfaces having atextured surface finish to scatter light into a plurality of directionswith respect to a direction of travel of said second light beams.
 3. Theomnidirectional lens of claim 2, wherein: said first light beamscomprise laser light, and said second light beams comprise visiblelight.
 4. The omnidirectional lens of claim 2, wherein said at least onephotosensor comprises a photodiode, and said at least one light-emittinglight source comprises a light-emitting diode.
 5. The omnidirectionallens of claim 2, wherein: (a) said first surfaces include: (i) atruncated conical reflective surface, and (ii) a protrusion that extendstoward said at least one photosensor; (b) said truncated conicalreflective surface re-directs at least a portion of said first lightbeams toward said protrusion; and (c) at least a portion of saidprotrusion has reflective surfaces that tend to channel said first lightbeams toward said at least one photosensor.
 6. The omnidirectional lensof claim 2, wherein: (a) said second surfaces include at least twodifferent sloped surfaces that form a space proximal to said at leastone light-emitting light source, wherein said second surfaces receive,refract, and re-direct at least a portion of said second light beamstoward said third surfaces; and (b) said third surfaces include: (i) anouter perimeter surface that exhibits a textured surface finish, and(ii) at least one reflective surface that scatters said second lightbeams internally toward said outer perimeter surface, where said secondlight beams are emitted to an exterior environment.
 7. Anomnidirectional lens, comprising: (a) at least one photosensor; (b) atleast one light-emitting light source; (c) a substantiallylight-conductive material that passes light beams at predetermined lightwavelengths, said light conducting material having: (i) a first surfaceportion for receiving externally-produced first light beams; (ii) asecond surface portion that is positioned proximal to said at least onephotosensor; (iii) a third surface portion that is positioned proximalto said at least one light-emitting light source; (iv) a fourth surfaceportion for emitting light beams, said fourth surface portion having atextured surface finish; and (v) a fifth portion that is shaped todirect at least a portion of said received first light beams from saidfirst surface portion toward said second surface portion; (d) a firstcircuit pathway for sending signals from said at least one photosensorto an external device signal receiver; and (e) a second circuit pathwayfor receiving signals from an external signal transmitter to said atleast one light-emitting light source; (f) wherein: (i) said firstsurface portion is shaped to receive said first light beams fromsubstantially every direction in a substantially horizontal plane; (ii)said third surface portion is shaped to receive second light beams fromsaid at least one light-emitting light source, and to direct at least aportion of said second light beams toward said fifth portion; (iii) saidfifth portion is also shaped to receive said at least a portion of saidsecond light beams from said third surface portion, which comprise thirdlight beams, and to direct at least a portion of said third light beamstoward said fourth surface portion; (iv) said fourth surface portion isshaped to receive said at least a portion of said third light beams,which comprise fourth light beams, and to emit at least a portion ofsaid fourth light beams at a plurality of directions that includessubstantially every direction in said substantially horizontal plane. 8.The omnidirectional lens of claim 7, wherein said first light beamscomprise laser light, and said second light beams comprise visiblelight.
 9. The omnidirectional lens of claim 7, wherein said at least onephotosensor comprises a photodiode, and said at least one light-emittinglight source comprises a light-emitting diode.
 10. The omnidirectionallens of claim 2, wherein: said ability to receive light beams fromvirtually any direction comprises 360 degrees around a perimeter of saidlight-conductive material.